Their children step forward, unafraid and eager to meet their sire, to solve the mystery for themselves. Solace runs her muzzle along her daughter's golden shoulder as the girl approaches him, encouraging her forward. But Velk is the first to speak; already a gentleman, the colt greets his father with calm sincerity. Valdis has a little more to say. Strong-willed and always the critical thinker, working out the problem before her and concluding that it is good, that he should be here. Solace's cerulean gaze lifts again of Castile's face as his tender apology is offered to his children.
She would not sway her children's reactions, they were far too old to be told how to feel, and so she had kept her face carefully neutral, carved from marble. But marble can be delicate, light and artfully composed by a master hand.
She had got what she wanted, and although she holds back, she is glad they have so easily accepted him, forgiven him. The trio in front of her look back and forth to each other, enamored, delighting in the sight of the others, and Solace is content to observe. But it is not long before all the power of Castile's mismatched gaze lands on her. Her name crosses his lips, laced with intimacy known and want, uprooting the comfortable feeling which had settled over her.
She knows that he hates the way fate has played them. She could feel it in their first meeting, hear the sincerity of his apology, see it in his eyes as he drinks in the sight of his son and daughter. The way he reaches for her in a too familiar way, so bold and sure of himself, only confirms it. But before she can protest, he is gone and she gives her crest a light shake. She didn't see harmless flirting as harmless, especially in front of her children. They knew of her oath sworn to her fellow Caretaker, of her love for her wife, and she doesn't want to compromise that. But this meeting wasn't about her and didn't want to draw the attention away from them.
Smoke curls from his nostrils, as he laughs at his own boyish playfulness and Solace sees something else has captured Valdis' attention. Her daughter's joy cracks finally cracks Solace's calm yet neutral facade, and as Valdis spins and looks to her mother for affirmation Solace smiles, a genuine, heartfelt smile.
"Valdis may have inherited a little of your Dragonfire," she says to the man of the hour, hinting at what could be much more than she suggested, but only time would tell. "And Velk," she adds as she takes a step in his direction, "Velk will begin studying diplomacy and battle soon." There is warmth and pride in her voice as she speaks of both twins, Solace was never one to miss a chance to compliment her children.
we are the ever-living ghost of what once was
Edited to clean up my rambling a little <3
